WATER QUALITY OF THE CHENA RIVER, FAIRBANKS, ALASKA: COMPARISON WITH OTHER MINING AREAS

The Chena River flows through Fairbanks, Alaska and is an industrial and domestic source of water. Grab samples were collected and tested through colorimetry for the standard water quality parameters of phosphate, nitrate, and total dissolved solids. Due to the presence of mining activity in the area, copper, chromium, iron, manganese, and cyanide were also tested through colorimetry. For comparison, waters collected from another mining area, the copper mining district of Upper Peninsula, Michigan, were also analyzed for these parameters, as were waters from known nonmining areas.

Initial results indicate near uniform values of the various water quality parameters in the Chena River throughout the year. Copper, iron, and manganese concentrations in the Chena River were found to be considerably lower than these elements' concentrations in waters from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a positive sign for the health of Fairbanks residents drinking the water. However, the presence of cyanide, measured at 0.15 ppm, is of concern.